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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 20, 2016 04:26 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Vanessa Lowery Brown |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Introducing a resolution honoring the cultural holiday known as Kwanzaa |
| In the near future I will be introducing a resolution honoring the cultural holiday known as Kwanzaa. 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of this annual holiday that is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. It is estimated that roughly 18 million African-Americans take part in Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas. It was created by Dr. Maulana "Ron" Karenga, a professor of Black Studies, in 1966. At this time of great social change for African Americans, Karenga sought to design a celebration that would honor the values of ancient African cultures and inspire present day African Americans who were working for progress. Kwanzaa is based on the year-end harvest festivals that have taken place throughout Africa for thousands of years. The name comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits of the harvest." Karenga chose a phrase from Swahili because the language is used by various peoples throughout Africa. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa honors a different principle believed to the key to building strong, productive families and communities: Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Sense of Purposes, Creativity, and Faith. According to the Kwanzaa website, this year’s theme is "Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba and Our Constant Striving: Repairing, Renewing and Remaking Our World". I ask for your co-sponsorship of this resolution in keeping with that theme of celebrating family, community and culture. Thank you. |